9 VC posts vacant, low interest in govt college principal

Nine out of 20 universities in West Bengal do not have permanent vice-chancellors also there is low interest among qualified people to take the principal's post in government colleges, state Education minister Partha Chatterjee told the Assembly today.
The government is trying to fill up the vacancies, he said adding the universities which do not have vice-chancellors include Calcutta University, Kalyani University, West Bengal State University, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Institute of Technology, Diamond Harbour Women University, Raigunj University and Sanskrit College and University.
Also there is low interest for the post of principals and out of vacancies in 42 colleges Public Service Commission has received only 27 applications in the last two attempts, the education minister said in a reply.

He said there will be government interventions whenever required as it provides funds and has the responsibility to prevent financial misuse as public funds are involved.
Opposition, Chatterjee said, always made hue and cry about whatever steps the government takes in respect of education, even if it investigates misappropriation of Rs 800 crore in universities.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Manas Bhuyian said higher education on the state had hit the bottom and the government interventions were indirect control on educational institutions.

Not just foreign Universities in India, the paper also
says that Indian institutions will also be allowed to set up campuses abroad, if required, through suitable legislations/ amendments in the relevant Acts or statutes.

"A panel under former Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanian had given its report on drafting a New Education Policy, the policy paper put out today is based on several recommendations of the Subramanian panel," a senior HRD ministry official said.
Among other key recommendations, it has been suggested that for science, mathematics and english subjects, a common national curriculum will be designed. For other subjects, such as social sciences, a part of the curricula will be common across the country and the rest will be at the discretion of the states.
A framework and guidelines for ensuring school safety and security of children will be developed and will be made a part of the eligibility conditions for a school education institution for recognition and registration, the draft says.

It also says that schools will engage trained counsellors to confidentially advise parents and teachers on adolescence problems faced by growing boys and girls.
Another suggestion is setting of a task force of experts will be set up to study the recruitment, promotion and retention procedures, followed by internationally renowned universities and institutions and suggest measures to promote intellectual and academic excellence in higher education institutes.
A national campaign will be launched to attract young talent into the teaching profession, has also been suggested.
Another key suggestion contained in the HRD ministry
draft relates to the high failure rate in class-X examination which is attributed to a large extent to poor performance in three subjects: Mathematics, Science and English.

In order to reduce the failure rates, class X examination in Mathematics, Science and English will be at two levels: Part-A at a higher level and Part-B at a lower level. Students who intend to join courses/ programmes for which science, mathematics or English is not a prerequisite or wish to shift to vocational stream after class-X will be able to opt for Part-B level examination, the paper says.
At present Central and State Boards of Education conduct examination for class X and XII.
It will be mandatory for the students to take class X board examination conducted by the Board to which their school is affiliated, it added.

The paper has also suggested that an expert committee will be constituted to study the systems of accreditation in place internationally and will suggest restructuring of NAAC and NAB as well as redefining methodologies, parameters and criteria.